Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific news & patch notes

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3508930/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific__Rise_and_Fall_of_an_Empire/ The Setting "The day when the Rising Sun shall proclaim our victory in India is not far off." -Lieutenant-General Mutaguchi's proclamation to the Japanese 15th Army, 18th February 1944. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/68b9f72f82ee45cee1c3b47a4119af33ba4c47b6.png

Axis Plans

It is March 1944 and it is nearly two years since Japan's lightning conquest of Burma. Since then, the frontlines have remained largely static as both sides have lacked the ability to launch more than regional offensives. Most recently, a Japanese advance in the Arakan region on the coast attempted to draw British reserves away from the frontier with India to the north. The attack was unsuccessful, though this has not stopped Lieutenant-General Kawabe, head of Japan's Burma Area Army, from planning another offensive. Kawabe knows that the Allies are preparing to launch their own offensive into Burma, and he is therefore preparing a pre-emptive strike to disrupt Allied plans. Ambitious to win fame and glory, Kawabe hopes that if this attack is successful, then it will be the start of a bigger and more far reaching offensive, one that can conquer India, isolate China, and achieve a war-winning victory! Operations in Burma The Japanese aim is to advance at top speed to isolate Imphal while taking Kohima to its north. The British and Indian forces in Imphal will then be destroyed, facilitating an advance via Kohima to Dimapur. With Dimapur in Axis hands, supply to Allied forces in north-east India will be cut, thus frustrating General Stilwell's attempts to strike south into Burma with a mixed US-Chinese force in the Hukawng Valley. In addition, should Dimapur fall, US supply planes will no longer be able to supply the Chinese with war materiel, and this could have a catastrophic effect on China's ability to continue in the war. Kawabe hopes to capture all objectives before the Monsoon begins in May, as operations will slow down thereafter, and the winner will be determined no later than the 1st June 1944. Subhas Chandra Bose and the struggle for Indian Independence Taking part in the offensive are also units of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) who he is encouraging to fight a revolutionary war for 'Liberty or Death' with the slogan 'Chalo Delhi' (onward to Delhi) in the hope that they can trigger the end of the Raj, constituting India as an independent state in the process. The Axis also have some units belonging to the collaborationist State of Burma in reserve, and these can be brought forward as necessary to guard the lines of communication. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/deaae3c1524a29bd552582fcbfed23aae6386c5d.pngJapanese and Indian soldiers share a cigarette during a break in operations

Allied Plans

General Slim and the Defense of India Lieutenant-General Bill Slim, commander of the Fourteenth Army, needs to hold Imphal, Kohima and Dimapur in order to frustrate Japanese plans. Reinforcements will be arriving throughout the campaign, and these can be marched into battle, moved by rail, or even flown straight into action from Airfields near Comilla. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/fda94e5030fd9b4f21c070c42f878b879f1ac571.pngFighting in the Arakan Joseph Stilwell and the Burma Road While battle rages to the west as Japanese forces invade India, Japanese possession of Burma is itself under threat from US and Chinese forces who are advancing south into the country. These forces are under the command of "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, and they consist of two Chinese infantry divisions, a Chinese Tank Brigade, and US troops in the shape of Merrill's Marauders aka Mars Force. Stilwell's mission is to seize Myitkyina and reopen the Burma Road, as this will enable the movement of supplies by land to China, providing the country with the means to win the war against Japan in East Asia. Orde Wingate and the Chindits {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/bd7214f1d15b532f181ad257f11f76ca7307ff06.png Chindits advance on Indaw (Rail) Additionally, the Allies have a trick up their sleeve in the shape of Orde Wingate's Chindits. Under the codename Operation Thursday, Wingate's forces are flying into landing grounds deep inside enemy territory in order to assist the US-Chinese advance on Myitkyina. It is intended that this will in turn enable the Yunnan Chinese to attack and link up with Stilwell. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/b362827bb7a7f6ba828dd92c47c131795ea2b590.png Orde Wingate during the Burma Campaign China: The Yunnan Front General Wei Lihuang commands Y Force based in Yunnan Province, guarding the western route into China. Although his army does not begin with the potential to launch an offensive, this will change as the campaign proceeds and reinforcements arrive, opening up the opportunity of launching an attack to assist the advance of Stilwell's forces. This could put the Japanese under immense pressure, and if an advance is successful, Wei should aim to liberate Wanting so as to help facilitate the reopening of the Burma Road to China. In 1944 some Chinese divisions were flown from China to northern India, and this is also a possibility here, so if desired, Stilwell can be reinforced in order to increase the possibility of an Allied victory. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/ad2894f14649aeb7a188b35f2383e4561a0634d2.png General Wei Lihuang The Importance of the Burma campaign During the campaign, Major-General Tanaka encouraged the Japanese 33rd division with the words 'Now is the time to capture Imphal... on this one battle rests the fate of the Empire'. The Japanese weren't the only ones to consider that their offensive had the potential for a great victory. Writing later, General Slim described how a Japanese conquest of Dimapur would have left China 'completely isolated' and forced 'into a separate peace', while India 'would fall, a glittering prize, into their hands'. An Axis victory in this region would not have halted the US island hopping campaign in the Pacific, though it would have seriously impeded China's ability to wage war. The failure of the Axis offensive into India was decisive in ending Japanese offensive hopes in this theater, while paving the way for the Allied offensive that completed the liberation of Burma in 1945. At the same time, as Slim recalled, it 'smashed for ever the legend of the invincibility of the Japanese Army'. This campaign provides you with the opportunity to re-fight this epic and, for the Axis, potentially war winning campaign. Can you advance successfully into India, paving the way for the collapse of the Raj? Or will you lead a skilful Allied defence that stops the Axis advance in its tracks? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/8fac3dfc47c6394d1e1f7ab112c379665576c58e.pngUS, British and Chinese forces advance on Wanting Recommended Further Reading

• Stillwell the Patriot by David Rooney
• Defeat to Victory by Bill Slim
• Japan's Last Bid for Victory by Robert Lyman

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3508930/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific__Rise_and_Fall_of_an_Empire/ This is the second entry in a two-part Developer’s Diary series covering the armies players will command in Strategic Command: War in the Pacific – 1937: Marco Polo to Pearl Harbor. In Part One, I explored the Republic of China and the forces aligned with her. In this second installment, I’ll shift focus to the Japanese side of the conflict, detailing how I’ve represented the historical Japanese military, their supporting forces, and the various Chinese collaborationist factions within the game.

THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN

Japan’s forces were professional, highly trained, and modernized, yet they faced mounting challenges as the war in China dragged on. The Japanese Army that entered China in 1937 was built on a foundation of prewar discipline and an infantry-centric doctrine. Most officers were graduates of the rigorous Imperial Japanese Army Academy, while enlisted soldiers underwent intense indoctrination that emphasized loyalty, obedience, and self-sacrifice. Soldier training prioritized offensive spirit (seishin) and close-quarters combat over firepower or mobility—an approach shaped by Japan’s military culture and its expectation of short, decisive conflicts. As discussed in our first Developer Diary, in-game Japanese units exceed the offensive and defensive combat values of Chinese units of equal or even larger size. These include veteran formations from the Kwantung Army as well as newly raised reserve divisions from Japan, both of which enter the game with higher research levels and greater experience than their Chinese counterparts. Later in the war, less capable—but numerically significant—Collaborationist Chinese forces will become available to support Japan. Japan’s allowable builds include heavy and field artillery, light and medium tanks, and a broader range of supporting arms—capabilities that surpass anything available to Chinese forces. On top of this, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force dominates the skies, providing effective ground support for IJA operations. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/27f267d155c5ff5768e1113f2072de5d4c9e4a63.png The Imperial Japanese Army Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) officers operated under the nominal direction of Emperor Hirohito and the military leadership in the government. Their relationship was shaped by a complex mix of ideological reverence, military autonomy, and political dysfunction. While officers were formally sworn to absolute loyalty to the Emperor, in practice, the military—particularly the powerful Kwantung Army—increasingly acted with independent initiative, often without direct imperial oversight or approval. This behavior stemmed from a flawed governmental structure: the armed forces were not tightly controlled by civilian political leadership and could not always be counted on to act in the best interests of Japan as a whole. This lack of cohesion is modeled through scripted events that penalize the Japanese player via reduced MPPs or lowered national morale. Additionally, several Decision Events present the Japanese player with no "good" choices—only "bad" or "worse"—to reflect the often self-defeating or reckless nature of Japanese military politics at the time. Despite these issues, the IJA was a formidable fighting force—highly disciplined, well-equipped with modern tanks, artillery, and supported by a capable air arm. Drawing on experience from earlier conflicts, the IJA employed aggressive tactics and demonstrated superiority over Chinese forces in the early stages of the war. Their initial offensives resembled blitzkrieg, achieving rapid victories in key campaigns such as the battles for the north-south railways in northern China and the fierce fighting in Shanghai. However, this early momentum proved difficult to sustain. The IJA, along with their Collaborationist Chinese Forces, struggled to suppress widespread guerrilla activity and maintain control over vast, hostile territory. This rapid expansion into China is reflected through the early arrival of powerful reinforcements from both Japan and the Kwantung Army (stationed in Manchuria). But players will find their advance hampered by the sheer scale of the map (102 x 84 hexes), covering northern China south to French Indochina, and westward as far inland as Szechwan Province. To model the logistical difficulties of a long campaign, supply is restricted to rail lines. As Japanese forces push away from these rail corridors and into the rough, mountainous terrain of China’s interior, their offensive potential diminishes. Over time, as the war drags on and Japan becomes entangled with Chinese guerrillas, players will experience the historical strain of overstretched supply lines and relentless resistance in a hostile landscape. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/9f703eb30eee0a6bf6aae3d1cf2f3685cdc54cbe.png Initial Japanese Forces in Northern and Central China When war broke out in 1937, Japan already had military forces stationed in both northern and central China. In the north, the primary Japanese formation was the China Garrison Army, a force originally tasked with protecting Japanese nationals and property under the terms of earlier treaties. However, this force became the flashpoint for open conflict following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Numbering around 6,000 men, the China Garrison Army is represented in the game by one Japanese unit, supported by a couple of Collaborationist Chinese units. In central China, particularly around Shanghai, there were no large Japanese Army formations present at the outset. However, Japan maintained a significant naval presence in the Shanghai International Settlement, an area home to thousands of Japanese civilians and businesses. The garrison there, under the command of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), included around 2,000 men ashore, supported by gunboats and cruisers anchored along the Yangtze River. In the game, this initial presence is represented by one elite Japanese Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) unit and one gunboat. Kwantung Army In 1937, the Kwantung Army was one of the most powerful and politically influential formations in the IJA. Stationed in Manchuria (then under Japanese control as the puppet state of Manchukuo), the Kwantung Army held both strategic and ideological importance. It served as a springboard for Japan’s expansion into China and as a stronghold of militarist influence within the Army. Compared to other Japanese formations, it was better equipped and trained, with substantial armor, artillery, and air support. Following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in July 1937, Japan began reinforcing the China Garrison Army with elements of the Kwantung Army, along with divisions arriving directly from Japan. By August, a new command—the North China Area Army—was established to coordinate the growing number of troops entering the theater. In the game, Japanese reinforcements include a headquarters unit, infantry brigades and divisions, cavalry, artillery, and aircraft, many of which arrive directly from the Kwantung Army and are positioned close to the front lines, ready to engage Chinese forces. Reserves from Japan In the summer of 1937, Japan escalated its military involvement in China by mobilizing reserve divisions from the Japanese home islands. Initially expecting a limited punitive campaign, the IJA quickly realized that the conflict would expand, prompting a broader mobilization. The reinforcements included several “Type B” reserve divisions, composed largely of conscripted soldiers and reservists with limited peacetime training. These divisions were generally less experienced than Japan’s active-duty formations, such as those stationed in the Kwantung Army, but they were still well-disciplined and cohesive. By August 1937, Japan had deployed several reserve divisions to reinforce operations in both northern China and around Shanghai, where intense fighting broke out later that month. These divisions played a pivotal role in expanding Japan’s offensive capabilities, allowing it to conduct multiple large-scale operations simultaneously and maintain momentum during the initial phase of the war. In the game, these reserve formations are represented by standard Japanese division units, but they do not carry any experience ratings. However, they are well-equipped and arrive with advanced infantry weapons research already in place. These Type B reserve divisions can be identified by their numbering—typically in the 100s. For example, Japanese units named the 101st or 104th Division represent these mobilized reserve forces. Imperial Japanese Army Air Forces The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) played a pivotal role in Japan’s early campaigns in China, beginning with the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. At the time, the IJAAF was a growing and relatively modern force, designed primarily to support ground operations through tactical bombing, reconnaissance, and close air support for Imperial Japanese Army units. In the early stages of the war, the IJAAF enjoyed air superiority over Chinese skies. Its aircraft outclassed those of the Chinese Air Force, which relied heavily on outdated or foreign-supplied planes. The IJAAF conducted devastating bombing raids on Chinese cities, airfields, and troop concentrations, contributing to early Japanese successes in places like Shanghai, Nanking, and along key railway lines. As with ground units, Japanese air units in the game benefit from advanced research levels and higher experience ratings compared to their Chinese counterparts. In response to Japanese dominance in the air, the Chinese Nationalist government received support from the Soviet Union, which provided aircraft and volunteer pilots under the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. These Soviet-flown aircraft challenged Japanese air superiority and forced the IJAAF to adapt. Early in the game, the Soviet Volunteer Group (SVG) will activate and join China as a minor faction. The SVG begins with a headquarters unit, a fighter unit, and a medium bomber unit, and it can expand further through the production of additional aircraft units. Historically, the IJAAF eventually became overextended, especially as the IJA advanced deeper into China’s interior and expanded south into French Indochina. In the game, players may face a similar challenge. However, they also have the opportunity to the size of their air force and invest in research to build a more powerful IJAAF. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/f5f91d9fcf7468446639e0d99a5ee7e7d150aff5.png Collaborationist Chinese Forces As Japan occupied large portions of China, it established puppet governments to help administer the conquered regions—most notably the Wang Ching-wei regime in Nanking. These regimes fielded Chinese collaborationist armies that served under Japanese direction. In the game, the Japanese player will receive Decision Events allowing for the creation of several collaborationist puppet states and their respective military forces. These units were large in number but often fragmented, poorly equipped, and hampered by internal divisions. While they possessed some local knowledge and were tasked with maintaining order, they were generally considered unreliable in frontline combat. They proved useful in rear-area security, allowing Japanese forces to focus on frontline operations. In-game, Chinese collaborationist units will have offensive and defensive values comparable to standard Chinese forces, but the Japanese player can employ them most effectively in anti-guerrilla operations and other support roles. Imperial Japanese Navy As a major supporting entity in the war, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) played a critical role in Japan’s campaign in China. While the IJN is more commonly associated with the Pacific Theater, it was heavily involved in the early stages of the war in China. Naval forces were essential for transporting troops, blockading Chinese ports, and conducting amphibious landings in key locations such as Shanghai, Canton and other coastal cities. In-game, IJN units include light cruisers, destroyers, and gunboats used to screen reinforcements bound for China, aircraft carriers increase Japan’s air power and several elite Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) units are available to deploy or build. These naval forces, along with IJA formations, can be transported to Chinese ports or conduct amphibious landings. The design provides ample troop transport and amphibious lift capacity to support such operations. The IJN’s air arm also played a major role in bombing campaigns across China, using long-range bombers and fighters to target Chinese infrastructure and cities. In the game, this is represented not only through carrier-based aircraft but also through the deployment of medium bombers. Overall, the IJN provides Japan with the ability to rapidly reinforce positions, support ground operations from the air, and launch amphibious assaults against the many exposed Chinese port cities along the eastern coastline. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/6f2da190035aa883750835ca0417aaef73648bf8.png

SUMMARY

I designed this game to reflect the historical situation, while also endeavoring to make the game playable, balanced and enjoyable. To that end, at the start of the game, China’s Army is large but fragmented. The NRA fields significantly more units than the IJA but suffers from lower combat values, minimal research, and no experience. A small number of German-trained divisions form an elite core, while most other units—including warlord troops—are much weaker than their Japanese counterparts. As the game progresses, guerrilla warfare options will become available, introducing a new dynamic that, along with the map’s size and terrain, will test the Japanese player. Japan will commit a large number of modern, disciplined units from the Kwantung Army and home islands, and being supported by the IJAAF’s air power and the IJN’s combat and logistical strength will give Japan a strong, though not guaranteed, chance at victory.

Representing history as accurately as possible while maintaining playability has been crucial to giving players the authentic feel of 1930s China. Politics in China at this time was steeped in betrayals, double-dealings, and political intrigue—perhaps more so than in any other major country involved in World War II. And yes, I do consider the 1937–1941 phase of the Second Sino-Japanese War to be part of World War II. While I’ll cover the political and diplomatic aspects of the war—and how they intersected with military operations—in the 1937 Marco Polo to Pearl Harbor Strategy Guide, this Developer Diary focuses on how I modeled the Chinese major ground armies.

THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The National Revolutionary Army China entered the war with several distinct military factions, each with its own level of effectiveness and loyalty. While Chiang Kai-shek was the internationally recognized leader of the Republic of China and head of the ruling Kuomintang, his control over the military was far from absolute. Despite his apparent success in unifying China through force, many units within the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) remained more loyal to their original regional warlords than to Chiang’s central government. At its core, the NRA consisted of Chiang’s Central Army, which included a handful of Elite Divisions, and a large number of forces aligned with provincial warlords. Loyalty and quality varied widely across these formations. On paper, China had over one million men under arms in 1937, organized into roughly 170 divisions. Of these:

• About 80 divisions were loyal to Chiang and part of the Central Army.
• Roughly 20 divisions were considered elite—trained and partially equipped by the German military mission.
• Approximately 70 divisions remained under the control of provincial warlords, whose loyalty to the central government was often limited or conditional.

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/1c0795f122b8c43c142b18384404fc1e6b849995.png The Central Army Led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the Central Army was the largest and most organized Chinese force in the NRA at the outbreak of war. This is reflected in the game by giving China the greatest number and variety of units for the Allied side. The Chinese player can deploy or build over 85 units, including a limited number of tanks and artillery. However, the Central Army—and even more so the provincial warlord forces—faced serious challenges. Most units were poorly equipped, relying on outdated weapons with limited access to tanks and artillery. Training was inconsistent, logistics were weak and internal divisions and corruption further degraded operational effectiveness, and many of the mechanics of the Strategic Command game engine have been used to model these limitations. The most significant changes implemented were to the offensive and defensive values of Chinese units relative to their Japanese counterparts. It is overwhelmingly agreed upon by historians that the Japanese Army outclassed the Chinese in terms of tactics, equipment, and training. In game terms, that meant the Chinese had to be numerically inferior on a unit-for-unit basis. For example, a Chinese Army Group (equivalent to a Western "Army" with 50,000–90,000 soldiers) has only 75–90% of the offensive and defensive values of a Japanese Division, which typically fielded around 20,000 troops. The disparity is even more pronounced for Chinese Army units (roughly equivalent to a Western "Corps" with 15,000–30,000 soldiers), which range from 30–65% of a Japanese Division's combat effectiveness. To visually emphasize this asymmetry, I also implemented an aesthetic solution: Chinese Army Groups use a 4-soldier bitmap icon, while Japanese units use a 2-soldier icon. This creates a visual impression that a smaller Japanese force is exerting outsized impact against a much larger but weaker Chinese force. The Central Army also fielded a number of effective guerrilla operations that caused the Japanese some tactical if not strategic dilemmas. Both Chinese and Provincial guerrillas will activate as the game progresses. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/787d122e68ca44a5b46e81cc08168c5302969917.png The Elite Divisions The German-trained divisions of the NRA are critical to any early success the Chinese player can achieve. In-game, these elite units are deployed at the player’s discretion, allowing for flexibility in how they support your overall strategy. Once on the field, they will be the most effective Chinese units available for countering Japanese advances. An elite Chinese division can almost go toe-to-toe with a Japanese division, boasting around 80–90% of the offensive and defensive values of its Japanese counterpart. However, they must be skillfully managed and carefully integrated with other Chinese unit types to blunt Japanese offensives effectively. Used recklessly or in isolation, even these elite formations can be overwhelmed. The Provincial Warlord Armies China’s fragmented political landscape meant that several regional warlords commanded semi-autonomous armies, operating with varying degrees of independence from Chiang Kai-shek’s central government. This fragmentation is implemented in two ways. First, more loyal regional armies—or those without a specific geographical base—are included in the general pool of Chinese units that can be deployed or built by the player. These include, for example, the Northeast Army, composed of survivors from the 1931 Japanese invasion of Manchuria, and the Northwest Army, formerly part of the Guominjun faction in the 1920s. Second, armies with strong warlord leadership tied to specific provinces are represented in-game as Chinese minor countries. These include:

• Kwangsi, militarily one of the strongest provincial forces;
• Shansi, known for its resilience even under occupation;
• Szechuan, rich in manpower and resources, offering vital strategic depth;
• and Yunnan, also strategically positioned and critical for connections to foreign aid.

Some warlord leaders kept their forces well-equipped and trained, notably Yen Hsi-shan of Shansi, and Li Tsung-jen and Pai Ch'ung-hsi of Kwangsi. Their superior leadership is reflected in-game through enhanced HQ ratings, making their units more effective in the field. While these warlord armies often lacked national cohesion and had varying levels of loyalty to the central government, they could usually be counted on to defend their own provinces. Their operations were typically localized and defensive, driven more by regional interests than by national strategy. In the game, I represented this behavior by assigning provincial guerrilla units and enabling the automatic deployment of additional defenders when key provincial hexes are threatened. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d84efd49f7a8818b220afecda8d89b371fb8ff85.png The Communists Led by Mao Zedong and a cadre of skilled generals, the Chinese Communists enhance the capabilities of the Allied side—though their role is complex and often disruptive. While small in number at the start of the campaign, they have the potential to expand exponentially as the war progresses. Centered on the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, Communist forces were officially integrated into the NRA, but in practice they operated independently—often clashing with Central Army and provincial warlord troops. To model this, the Communists are represented as a separate major country in the game: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As CCP units move across the map, they will agitate nearby Chinese troops, with simulated battles causing supply and strength loss to both China and the CCP. In addition, the Nationalists will be forced to garrison parts of the northwest map in an attempt to contain Communist expansion. Failure to do so will result in damage to national morale. Although nominally part of the Allied effort, the Communists will benefit from Chinese missteps. For example, historical events such as the Changsha Fire and the Yellow River Floods—both disastrous policies initiated by Chiang Kai-shek or his commanders—boost the CCP’s Military Production Points (MPPs) in-game. These reflect the way public discontent often drove civilians into Communist arms during the war. The CCP was highly successful in guerrilla operations, establishing base areas across northern and central China and seriously hindering Japanese logistics. I modeled this by adapting systems from the earlier Strategic Command: War in the Pacific – 1941 Day of Infamy campaign. Scripted commands automatically create CCP base areas and deploy units to inconvenient, supply-critical locations, particularly along Japanese rail lines. In addition, partisan scripts trigger the activation of CCP guerrilla units, as well as guerrillas aligned with the Nationalists and provincial warlords. The CCP was poorly equipped compared to the Nationalist forces, with limited artillery or mechanized support. However, they leveraged their deep ties to rural populations to sustain their operations. The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army became legendary for maintaining prolonged resistance despite chronic equipment shortfalls. I reflected this by allowing the CCP to build up to 18 units, but no tanks or artillery. However, their units have slightly better combat values than regular Chinese forces and can inflict demoralization effects on Japanese units. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d87b49b3ee157016aadbc5171e9f4783bd7e37e5.png In Part Two, I’ll delve into the composition and deployment of the Imperial Japanese Army in China, including its supporting elements, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, and the Imperial Japanese Navy. I’ll also explore how I’ve modeled the complex and often fragmented nature of the Chinese collaborationist forces that fought alongside—or under the control of—the Japanese throughout the campaign.

We’re thrilled to announce the first DLC for Strategic Command WWII - War in the Pacific: Rise and Fall of an Empire. This expansion explores Japan’s turbulent journey through World War II, featuring six meticulously crafted campaigns spanning from 1937 to 1946. Relive key historical moments, from the opening shots at the Marco Polo Bridge to the desperate final battles for Japan’s home islands. With expanded maps, deeper strategic choices, and new historical leaders, Rise and Fall of an Empire will challenge even the most seasoned commanders. But that’s not all. We’re looking for your feedback. Want to be among the first to play? Join the beta and share your thoughts, your insights are invaluable. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3508930/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific__Rise_and_Fall_of_an_Empire/

We’re excited to share the latest update for Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific. This release brings several significant enhancements, including Steam Deck compatibility, making it easier than ever to take your strategic battles on the go. We’ve also improved the Linux experience, ensuring smoother gameplay for all players. In addition, the game is now localized in Simplified Chinese, opening the battlefield to an even wider audience. Alongside these changes, you’ll find various balancing adjustments and bug fixes to refine and enhance your experience. Here below the full changelog: GAME ENGINE

• Fixed an available resolutions display error in the SETTINGS screen.
• Fixed an Anti-Aircraft return fire error for campaigns like Iwo Jima that have Anti-Air with zero action points (Tanaka).
• Fixed a sleep tool CTD when combined with selecting next/previous units (John C).
• Fixed a unit supply value error for when supply sources are > 12.
• Fixed a naval zone of control display error (CptOdin).
• PBEM++ Lobby will have its Tournament button shown in Green when there are turns to be played, and in Red when your opponent must play out their turns first.
• Improved AI naval combat logic, e.g. improved FLEET and combat movements and the prioritizations of attacks on enemy Carriers where applicable.
• Optimized the display of the supply values map for improved scrolling speed (TheGameSquid).

EDITOR

• Airfields can now be set to either a Primary or Secondary supply center.

All Campaigns

• German translation of British Empire updated (HvS).

1939 Campaign

• German language victory text corrected (DamagePoint).

1941 Day Of Infamy Campaign

• Chengdu in China is now an Industrial Center (BigJohn).
• Some extra fortifications added in China (BigJohn; LongVin).
• China now starts with a chit invested in Command and Control research (BigJohn).
• Communist China’s income has been increased (LongVin).
• China’s starting National Morale values increased (BigJohn).
• Corrected the spelling of San Francisco (Machiavelli).
• Tannu Tuva has been added, though providing both it and the USSR are neutral, it will be annexed by the USSR on the 1st November 1944 (Easter80).
• Mongolia will now start mobilizing at any time once the USSR has joined the Allies.
• Two Oil Wells moved to California from the map’s eastern edge (Platoonist).
• Corrected the spelling of Lanzhou in the script texts (Michael Buerger).
• Corrected the text relating to the cost of DE 815 to deploy Subhas Chandra Bose (General Matty).
• Chiang Mai is no longer an alternate Thai capital as its being so was preventing Thailand from switching sides without often surrendering (Deez_Noots; Mithrilotter).
• DE 100 amended so now the fall in US National Morale will be spread over 10 turns rather than all at once.
• Increased Nanjing’s Corps Build Limit by 1 (Dark Fearless).
• The Australian Heavy Cruiser Australia now arrives via the Production Queue at the start of February 1942 (Nowhereman).
• POP UP message added to advise when the British Empire’s convoy via Tibet to China becomes active.
• AI Research scrpts improved (Mithrilotter).
• At Intermediate level and above, the US AI may now deploy an HQ and Fighter on Hawaii if Oahu is invaded (Mithrilotter).
• The Japanese AI may now attempt a sortie into the Bay of Bengal (Mithrilotter).
• Amended the Japanese Guard script Chinese Garrison - Yichang Defensive Line so it is cancelled if the Axis capture Yichang (David Stoeckl).
• Increased the chance of the US having an HQ in India from 1st January 1943 if there are troops there but no HQ.
• Added 2 US AI FLEET scripts to send naval forces to help defend Hawaii and Oahu if the Japanese invade (Mithrilotter).
• More coordinates added to the Strategy Guide (Moonchild; Majpalmer).
• If Japan invades Oahu then its ports will now suffer a reduction in strength (Mithrilotter).
• Corrected the terrain in hex 54,60 (ziploc01).
• Added back in the US's Tactical and Medium Bomber names (Mithrilotter).
• Aduk (136,27)is now spelled as Adak. It has also been changed to a sea hex (ATCSMike).
• Hokkaido is now more rugged (Tendraline; Platoonist).
• Hex 68,86 and converted to a sea hex
• Hex 102,92 converted to a land/sea hex (Coaltar).
• Besieging events added for Majuro in the Marshalls, Port Blair on the Andamans, Makassar, Manado and Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, Pelelieu, San Jose, Hickham airfield in Hawaiion and Kochi in Japan, while Shumushu’s has been removed as it is unnecessary (Livadeia).
• Axis AI Supply script removed (Livadeia).
• American Samoa will now also transfer to Japan should the USA withdraw from the war (Tendraline).
• Dummy DE 390 amended so that the US convoys to Australia or India will flow unless the US convoy is going to China (Livadeia).
• Bismarck Archipelago text shifted to the east slightly.
• Japan will now receive 25 National Morale points per turn, rising to +50 from 1943; +75 from 1944; +100 from 1945 for holding each of Hong Kong, Kukum, Midway, Port Moresby, Rangoon and Singapore.
• The cost for Japan of investing in Production Technology has been reduced from 150 to 125 MPPs per chit.
• Axis AI Unit scripts tweaked to improve their performance in China and Burma, and one added to assist it in New Guinea (Kurrestan).
• USA's starting MPPs increased from 60 to 100.
• Corrected the scripts reducing unit morale for Axis naval units east of Hawaii, and also increased their minimum impact from 15 to 20% (Nginear).
• Bathurst Island near Darwin in Australia has been redrawn (mdsmall).

1942 Solomons Campaign

• Enabled reinforcement visibility through the Production tab->Purchase window (OCB).
• Replaced Coast Watcher Bitmap with Australian infantry.
• Fixed the US National Anthem (Iron Eagle).

1944 The Marianas Campaign

• Corrected the spelling of Saipan in the weather layer.

1945 Iwo Jima

• Fixed the US National Anthem (Iron Eagle).

Update your game today and dive into the improved Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific experience.

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific. For the first time in the history of the franchise, we are introducing a Chinese translation for this war game. The Chinese Translation Patch will launch this December, bringing the full Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific experience to Chinese-speaking players around the world. This marks an exciting step forward as we continue to expand the reach of our games to new audiences. We are committed to providing an immersive and accessible experience for all players, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this game with you. Prepare your strategies, and see you in December.

This week marks the anniversary of the historic battles in Guadalcanal, a key series of engagements during the Pacific War. To commemorate this significant moment, we’re excited to host a special event on our Twitch channel featuring Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2740080/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific/ Join us for a live stream from 6pm to 8pm UTC today, where DasTactic will play the iconic Guadalcanal scenario in Strategic Command, offering a deep dive into this intense battle. DasTactic will be joined by Robert Carver, the scenario designer for this battle. Robert brings a wealth of insight, having spent 44 years with the US Marine Corps, and his perspective on the design process and historical context is not to be missed. In addition to the stream, we’re celebrating with a sale across the entire Strategic Command franchise, offering discounts up to 75%! The sale begins at 6pm UTC on November 11th and runs through 6pm UTC on November 18th. Don’t miss this chance to experience Strategic Command titles and relive pivotal moments in WWII history. We look forward to seeing you on stream and celebrating this anniversary together.

Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific is finally out now. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2740080/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific/ https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/42808/Strategic_Command_WWII_Bundle/ The game features a vast 36,000 hex map, covering regions from India to North America at an 80km/50mi scale. The main campaign starts with the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, leading to Japan's rapid expansion in Asia and the Pacific. Players command forces from seven major powers, engaging in land and sea battles with immersive 3-D graphics or NATO counters. Five mini-campaigns include historical battles like Khalkhin Gol, Guadalcanal, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria. New gameplay elements feature airfields, naval supply rules, and iconic events such as the Doolittle Raid. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of the release offer and complete your Strategic Command collection. Grab your copies now with discounts of up to 60% on all titles in the Strategic Command series, available in our store for a few days only.

Dear Community, We regret to inform you that the game's release, originally scheduled for today, has been delayed. The build did not pass all the approval steps required by Steam. The new release date is set for July 18th. During the TeaTime this Thursday, we'll explain what happened. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

In our fourth and final Developer Diary for Strategic Command - WWII: War in the Pacific, Robert Carver explains the thinking that went into designing a scenario covering the first of the many battles fought during the Allies’ island hopping campaign: Guadalcanal. Developing a game that accurately reflects the intense battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II was both a challenging and rewarding experience, and our 1942-43 Solomons Campaign is a scenario focused on the battle for control of the Solomon Islands chain. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/b53ed20d9d150373919f88c33bed3d669929675e.png The Solomon Islands campaign was a pivotal moment in the Pacific War. The outcome would determine whether the tide had truly turned against Japan or if Admiral Yamamoto's forces would continue their advances unchecked. As noted in a captured Japanese document from the Guadalcanal campaign, "It must be said that the success or failure in recapturing Guadalcanal Island, and the vital naval battle related to it, is the fork in the road which leads to victory for them or for us" (Samuel Eliot Morison, The Two-Ocean War). {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/97d4709fb77b4079e3f895cdffdbb41618d06810.png Our game begins just after the U.S. Marines land at Guadalcanal. Immediately, the Japanese conduct several counter-landings with Special Naval Landing Forces. At sea, the Imperial Japanese Navy deploys a powerful cruiser force to disrupt and destroy U.S. naval shipping still in the area. As the battle for Guadalcanal progresses, both sides receive additional land, air, and naval units. Players must strategically transport these reinforcements through a South Pacific Ocean patrolled by enemy fleets, mirroring the logistical challenges faced during the actual campaign. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/b90fe09dc2ca8f106f48a9a615f73db367bdc7b0.png Victory conditions are designed to reflect historical stakes. If the Japanese capture Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, they win. However, should the Japanese lose Guadalcanal; the Americans must organize and execute a series of amphibious landings up the Solomon Island chain in order to claim victory. Time is of the essence, requiring efficient planning and execution of amphibious operations to achieve success. Planning and execution of amphibious assaults in the Pacific during World War II required meticulous coordination and innovative strategies due to vast distances and challenging environments. The Allied forces had to overcome the formidable natural defenses of the Pacific islands, such as dense jungles, coral reefs, and rugged terrain, which were often heavily fortified by Japanese troops. In the design of the game, we had to ensure an Allied AI would attempt to launch successful and successive amphibious assaults on the islands containing victory hexes. We did this by developing several transport, amphibious, and fleet scripts and then coordinated them with each other. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/bb103ec442ee5a986cf2cba4c110914f0800fdc2.png For a human player, just like historical operations in the Solomons, any amphibious assault demands reconnaissance, planning, and the integrated movement of embarked troops while being screened by protective combat ships. To launch the assault a player will have to secure ports, send air or naval forces to the target area to observe just what the enemy strength is, and then move combat ships and amphibious transports together to make a successful landing. The amphibious assault itself will almost always require supporting fires for the troops, so ship and air units will have to be selected to deliver pre-landing bombardments to soften up enemy defenses. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d363f2600fce56e96e91c2ef1f72bc4a99728bb8.png Once the troops are ashore, supply will become an issue unless specific types of units are used. Special Forces units have inherent supply that can sustain the unit for a few game turns. Another supply capable unit is the Headquarters unit; it can extend its limited supply to other units. We wanted to model the benefits the Americans received from their Australian allies, who had established a network of Coast Watchers on several islands. These operatives monitor Japanese naval and air movements, providing critical intelligence that exposes Japanese ships and transports to American strikes. During the campaign, lasting about fifteen months, each side implemented technological improvements that had significant impacts. This was designed into the game, allowing both sides to have opportunities to upgrade their unit capabilities. Initially, units are deployed with few or no upgrades, but advanced technologies are available for players to add to their units based on their allocation of limited resource points. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/4c8d13ddd34666f32647e30a6dc1eb52943b12a7.png Developing the ‘1942-43 Solomons Campaign’ was an intricate process of blending historical accuracy with balanced and engaging game play. The lessons learned from this development process highlight the importance of thorough research, careful planning, and attention to detail. We hope everyone who plays this campaign enjoys the action just as much as we enjoyed creating it. Strategic Command - WWII: War in the Pacific will be released on Tuesday, 25th June, at which point you will be able to immerse yourself in this and all our other action-packed campaigns set in the Pacific Theater!

It is December 1941 and in our flagship 1941 Day of Infamy campaign, Japan holds most of China’s eastern seaboard, as well as important cities such as Beiping, Canton, Nanjing, and Wuhan. Therefore, for China, Japan’s decision to go to war against the British Empire and the USA is very welcome, as this will reduce the forces Japan has available in the country, while also providing China with more allies and assistance. Could it even open up the possibility of pushing the Japanese back and liberating the country from foreign rule? Yet China faces internal difficulties weakening her war effort, for the territories claimed by her government are divided into multiple entities. Additionally, there are Warlords and others within China who are less than fully committed to obeying the government, and the mobilization of China’s full potential to win the war against Japan will also require bringing these to heel. In shedding light on this divided country we will be looking at these entities and movements in turn, assessing in the process the effect they can have on the conflict ahead: will China, with the aid of its allies, now be able to win victories against Japan, or is the future still fraught with danger? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/eaa1e1fe8faa30e437e2af25b21c8448edc8078a.png Chinese soldiers serving in India during WWII Communist China Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Koumintang (KMT) government lacks full authority over the country, its main rival being Mao’s Communists based in Yan’an. Communist China starts as neutral in order to reflect its lack of commitment to fighting the Japanese at this point of the war. It is also largely indifferent, and sometimes hostile to KMT forces, with outbreaks of fighting between both factions occurring from time to time – when they should be fighting the Japanese! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d6d94d10ef56ccd7902d1092dbe4f5d4ca361499.png US army officers visiting Chairman Mao in 1944 Japan cannot conduct diplomacy with Communist China, nor can it declare war on it, and while war with Communist China is ultimately inevitable, Japan can delay this conflict by avoiding any immediate advances towards Yan’an. Communist Bases Although Yan’an is the most important Communist location, there are other bases in Guangxi and Shanxi provinces and these can be activated to contribute to the Communist war effort. If activated, these bases will be the launching pad for partisan raids on Japanese held-resources. Consequently they will prove a target for attack and Communist forces will have to defend them. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/bada7455fa5305d1e6f4dfdeca5702603405c7ad.pngCommunist Territory Is Expanding Additionally, the Communists may have the opportunity to expand their territory during the war, if their position is strong and the Nationalists’ weak. Communist China can benefit from aid from the USSR, and in turn, Communist China can pass supplies on to Chiang Kai-shek, should they really wish to. Furthermore, in July 1944 the US may send the Dixie Mission to Communist China, providing the latter with a welcome morale boost. Mobilizing the Warlords However, there are other power centers in the country apart from the Communists, as various Warlords control their own fiefdoms, and fully mobilizing the Nationalist war effort will require using troops to enforce KMT rule. Chiang Kai-shek can call on the Warlord Ma Bufang to provide cavalry for the war effort, but some other Warlords will have to be coerced into subservience. Xikang Province In 1942 Chiang Kai-shek was hinting at invading Tibet, his ostensible reason being to force it to allow the British to send some supplies via its territory to China. However, other factors were also at play, as he used his build up of forces in the area as a means to assert his authority in Xikang province. This need to do so is also represented, as the Warlord Liu Wenhui controls the province of Xikang and his contribution to the war effort is virtually nil. In order to mobilize the resources of this region, which contains the cities of Kangding and Yushu, it is imperative that KMT authority be asserted here. This requires the deployment of force in this region, though an extra benefit of doing so is that it potentially allows for supplies to reach China via Tibet, thus increasing China’s income further. Without their presence, the independently minded Liu Wenhui will do his own thing, robbing the KMT’s war effort of the wealth of this region. Tibet {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/31364a50146b283c0531811d61d94f98b5ce514a.png Tibet’s Armed Forces stand ready to defend their territory Given that sending some supplies overland from India to China via Tibet was envisaged, the British Empire does have the opportunity to do so – but first, someone has to convince Tibet to allow this to happen, and that will require some diplomacy. Dare the Allies invest in diplomacy rather than directly in men, ships, planes and guns? Xinjiang Province Like Xikang, Xinjiang province requires the assertion of Chiang Kai-shek’s authority in order for it to accept rule from Chongqing, and doing so will also prevent insurrection by Muslim separatists hoping to re-found the East Turkestan Republic in northern Xinjiang. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/17e952be303c65218609ec4a3c40e5b4b7a50a47.pngThe Flag of the Second East Turkestan Republic Economic Aid Chiang Kai-shek’s China can receive economic aid from four foreign sources. We have already mentioned that Communist China can potentially provide supplies to China, and that the British Empire may also do so if Tibet is favourable and the KMT are asserting their authority in Xikang province. The third source of income is the USSR, which in an emergency can provide some supplies. Also, if Communist China surrenders then the USSR can provide funds more directly via convoy to Chiang Kai- shek’s China. However, the biggest source of income to China from abroad is by far the USA. US Aid to China {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/7d58f3ab8882e1a3a641a9a10930a24a44645755.pngA Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express Taking Off The war in the Pacific begins with Claire Chennault’s China Air Task Force HQ at Kunming and the American Volunteer Group, or ‘Flying Tigers’ in Burma. Later, the USA can send the 14th Air Force and Merrill’s Marauders to serve in China under Chennault’s command. The USA can also provide China with a HQ in the shape of Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, and later in the war, an armored unit. Thus the American contribution to China’s war effort can be rather substantial. The US can also send supplies to China by sea through the Pacific to Rangoon, and if Japan invades Burma and captures Rangoon, as is likely, then fortunately aid can instead be flown over “the Hump” from India to China. These flights will also boost China’s morale. However, for these flights to take place, both Ledo in eastern India and Kunming in China will have to be protected, as the loss of this aid would have a drastic effect on China’s economy. A final way in which the Allies can assist China will be through the British Empire signing a treaty with Chiang-Kai shek in 1943 relinquishing their rights in the country, as doing so will boost China’s National Morale, albeit at a cost to the British Empire’s. The Japanese Perspective In December 1941 the Japanese advance into China has stalled, and neither side can really make much progress without reinforcements. China and Communist China are potentially the most vulnerable of all the Major Allied powers, and capturing Chongqing is probably an achievable objective, though do not be fooled into thinking that it will be a walk over as China has great defensive potential. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/f11e5c3730d8bb38ed19b27f1985482b2b8c697a.pngWang Jingwei, leader of the pro-Japanese forces in China Chinese can also be mobilized to fight for Japan, either as part of the armed forces of Wang Jingwei’s Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China, deploying at Nanjing, or in the service of the Mengjiang National Army with its capital at Kalgan to the north-west of Beiping. In certain circumstances, there is also the possibility that the Warlord Yan Xishan can be enticed to desert to the Japanese. You can find out more about Japan’s allies in a previous Dev Diary here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2740080/view/4200244961702575770 It will be important to protect from partisan attacks, and doing so will not only require garrisoning targeted locations, but also capturing all 3 Communist bases in Guangxi and Shanxi provinces. Whether aiming to simply weaken, or totally conquer China, there is a good way to reduce its economy, and that is take Kunming in China, or launch an offensive into India to capture Ledo. Capturing either location will halt all allied flights over “The Hump” from India into China, and this will significantly reduce China’s income so that it will be easier to conquer. The Road to Victory While capturing Chongqing will definitely contribute towards a Japanese victory, over-investing in conquering China may not be worthwhile. A fine balancing act will be required between sending too many troops here, and not enough, because the war cannot be won here alone, and the Allies may take advantage if they perceive weakness elsewhere. Additionally, if China does surrender, then Japan may face conflict with the USSR. Xinjiang province was under strong Soviet influence at this time, and Stalin may decide to annex it. If he does so, then Japan will have to decide between humiliation in accepting its loss to the USSR, or war with the Soviet Union. Alternatively, the USSR may simply decide to provide support and encouragement to Partisan attacks in Xinjiang province. Plenty of information to help will be given directly in game, or in the campaign’s accompanying Strategy Guide – be sure to check this out when Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific is released on Tuesday the 25th June!

{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/05910dc31a8e9eff30c094c63e633ee11e93ee6c.jpg We're thrilled to announce that Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific will be out on June 25th. Soon you'll be able to battle through land and sea, commanding the forces of 7 Major powers: Japan, Australia, China, Communist China, USA, UK and USSR. The 1941 Day of Infamy campaign is coming with 36.000 hex map, get ready to re-fight the 20th century's greatest conflict in the Pacific. If you haven't yet, register for the beta, in the meantime you can find a feedback article here. https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2740080/view/4196868529804365749 Remember to wishlist the game, victory awaits. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2740080/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific/

Launching the beta for a new game is a really exciting experience. It is impossible not to feel a buzz of excitement as for the first time, lots of people get to download, install and start playing the game you’ve spent months, sometimes years working on. It really does provide a thrill! Then one patiently awaits the first feedback… will players love it, or… Fortunately, our testers are not shy in saying what they think, and so we have been literally bombarded with feedback! Fortunately, the feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive, and it has exceeded all our expectations. Yes, there have been issues to resolve, but surprisingly quickly, the conversation has largely moved on to discussing balance and minor details. The Beta Testers are Fantastic! The quality of feedback has been excellent, with many playing both sides before providing detailed reports and commentary. We even have AARs on our forums with numerous screenshots enabling us to see what strategies are being followed, what mistakes made, how victories are being won, and most importantly, what we need to do in terms of adding advice to help new players. Below is a screenshot from an AAR of a PBEM game of our Marianas campaign that is being fought by Old Crow Balthazor: {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/50c3cc6ea5e4146b30c0d8e364726324ebda50b7.png Of course, players have also noticed a few oddities that we had missed, such as the wrong theme tune playing when clicking on a Capital. Or of the wrong icon appearing on Free Indian units. There is so much detail behind the scenes that these things do happen – and it’s great that these small details are noticed and picked up on. Landing on Henderson Field Successful betas require good teamwork between testers and developers, and innumerable discussions have been taking place on all kinds of aspects of the game. To take our Guadalcanal campaign as a single example of how the beta team have helped, the detailed feedback provided here has enabled us to adjust the AI so that it will provide a much greater challenge for future players. This is especially relevant in two areas: firstly in helping the Imperial Japanese Navy to better avoid coast watchers. Secondly, it has really helped us to resolve an issue with Henderson Field, a victory objective that is also in the front line. This caused some initial problems, with some even working out how the Japanese could take the airfield in the first turn and win the game – whoops! New Georgia Sound aka ‘The Slot’ Speaking of Guadalcanal, the importance of naval battles in the area has been emphasised in the main 1941 Day of Infamy campaign. One of our beta testers has this to say about it: ‘I think your choice was the best one for this map. In my PBEM game for this campaign, my US forces are bitterly contesting control of Guadalcanal and the Slot. It plays out very well, with Japanese carriers limping away having suffered damage, and two US carriers now at the bottom thanks to enemy air attacks’. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/ccd7ab0a3c775f9d9ed87a5a4cbf24fb3fc1267d.png Clarity of Information Players have also been reading the Strategy Guides. And when we say reading the Strategy Guides, some have gone through them with a fine tooth comb, providing innumerable suggestions to help create more comprehensive, clear and useful documentation that will benefit everyone when the game is released! We have also improved in-game information, with the addition of more symbols and text on the map where appropriate, making changes based on forum comments as the initial versions of some were not as clear as they could have been. These improvements are making the gaming experience even better for everyone, and will especially help new players. To highlight just one example: the blue star showing next to Agana on Guam in the screenshot below shows that this is an ongoing National Morale objective. Every turn that Japan owns this place, US National Morale will be penalised – so the US had better make sure it doesn’t lose too many locations like this! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/c2834c9bf152de26d7bc28103650d22ffc5a1cab.png Will there be any Pacific DLCs? We have been simply amazed at the number of people asking for extra campaigns to be added in DLCs. This is a sign of the great enthusiasm there is for this release, and the hope to have more and similar. All we can say for now is that we have been noting down ideas. We would like to thank all our beta testers who have provided feedback, please continue doing so as we move forward towards the next exciting milestone: release day!

In our second developer diary we focus on one aspect of our flagship 1941 Day of Infamy campaign: Japan’s Allies! Japan never fought alone in WWII, and to reflect this, units belonging to at least 8 separate entities can be deployed alongside Japanese forces to fight for the Axis. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/26f28d24aa686f81bd48dd5fd9a9972acaafd94e.png The Indian Nationalist Subhas Chandra Bose giving a speech in Tokyo, 1943 Thailand Thailand will join the Axis within a turn or two of the beginning of the Pacific War, deploying a Corps ready for service, with the potential to increase its forces further. These will prove useful during the invasion of Burma and beyond, plus Thailand’s co-option into the Axis camp allows Japanese forces in the Gulf of Siam to concentrate on the conquest of Malaya and Singapore. Free India Following the capture of Singapore, Japan will be asked by the Indian Nationalist Mohan Singh for permission to raise an Indian National Army from among Indian deserters and Prisoners of War captured in Malaya. This can be just the start of raising a sizeable Free Indian force, for should Japan invade India then it will be able to raise more Corps on seizing Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Dimapur. The 5 Corps that can potentially be raised will therefore prove a useful addition to Japan’s overall fighting strength, and they can even be given their own HQ in the shape of Subhas Chandra Bose. "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!" In 1943 the Indian Nationalist Subhas Chandra Bose will arrive in Japan from Europe, following his transfer from a German to Japanese submarine near Madagascar. Japan will then have the opportunity to deploy him as a HQ of the Indian National Army of Free India, enabling Bose to lead Indian forces into battle against the British! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d6e9b390223c55592e8ead6fad011443478a2b75.png Free Indian units including Subhas Chandra Bose fighting alongside Japanese forces in Burma Japan can even gift some territory to the Indian National Army, for if it captures the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, then these islands can be handed over to Free India. Doing so will boost Japan’s National Morale as it will increase the credibility of Japan’s claims to be liberating Asia from Western Imperialism and founding a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in its place. The State of Burma With Burma and Malaya conquered, Japan’s successes will provide an impetus to supporters of Burmese Independence. These Burmese activists will already have helped Japan’s invasion by attacking British forces, and now they are willing to take up arms to fight alongside the Japanese. This unit could prove of use in in an invasion of India, or through supporting an advance into China and threatening Kunming. China Japan is greatly assisted in its war effort by all the dissension and divisions within Chinese society (see a future developer diary for details) and some Chinese factions have been recruited to fight alongside Japanese forces. The most significant formation of Chinese to fight alongside Japan come under the nominal authority of Wang Jingwei’s collaborationist government based in Nanjing. However, Nanjing’s forces lack good leadership and are therefore best left in the rear to guard against partisan attacks. Nevertheless, this lack of leadership can be rectified through capturing Taiyuan in Shanxi Province. For should they do so, Japan will have an opportunity to attempt to recruit the Shanxi Warlord Yan Xishan. Negotiations were carried out during the war via Major-General Tanaka, a Japanese officer serving in China who was also a friend of his, and in 1942 Yan Xishan did tell the Japanese that he would be prepared to switch sides if he were provided with food, weapons and equipment with which to fight the Communists. Although he ultimately changed his mind and refused, Japan does have a significant chance of successfully convincing Yan Xishan to switch sides and deploy as a HQ in the service of Nanjing. Additionally, there is Prince Demchugdongrub’s Mongolian Autonomous Federation, also known as Mengjiang, a small puppet state north west of Beiping that can deploy its own armed forces. Demchugdongrub, also known as Prince de Wang, led a movement for Mongolian independence in the mid-1930s before collaborating with the Japanese, and in some circumstances his army can be expanded further in order to deploy cavalry for service in Mongolia or against the Soviet Union. The Empire of Manchukuo Manchukuo, Japan’s puppet state in Manchuria, has its own Emperor in the shape of Puyi, the former Emperor of China, and this minor empire also has its own armed forces. These can be expanded later in the war as the threat of a Soviet invasion looms, with infantry and cavalry units being equipped and deployed ready to fight the Red Army. Will they be enough to make a difference when the decisive battle comes? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/9a0e90af842c16c8d1a13b426cb32ed352323bfe.png Some of the Emperor of Manchukuo’s soldiers The Greater East Asia Conference In November 1943 Japan can organise a Greater East Asia Conference of its allies, with attendees including Ba Maw (Burma), José P. Laurel and Sukarno (Philippines), Subhas Chandra Bose (India), and Wang Jinwei (China). There are both political and military benefits to Japan for organising this conference, for not only will its success boost Japanese National Morale, but it will also facilitate the recruitment of local volunteers in the Dutch East Indies, Malaya and the Philippines. Laurel’s Philippines Republic will be prepared to raise a Makapili Militia that can assist with the defence of the country should MacArthur’s dream come true and he be able to return at the head of a US invasion force. Militia units belonging to the Defenders of the Homeland (Pembela Tanah Air or PETA) can also be raised in the Dutch East Indies and Malaya. These are not strong units, but in the face of Allied invasions, every man may count! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/df60b4e8384ec3f3c3309e4b0fb934a3c3d32804.png PETA Militia undergoing training Treachery and Desertion Some of Japan’s allies are rather fickle, and if the war turns in favour of the Allies then they may switch sides or simply surrender. This could have disastrous strategic consequences, and therefore although these allies provide necessary reinforcements, some could also pose a threat. While Thailand will be the first country to provide additional forces to fight alongside Japan’s in 1941 Day of Infamy, later in the war it could switch sides, deploying units to fight alongside the Allies. These units may not be strong, but they will at the bare minimum prove inconvenient to Japanese strategy, potentially facilitating a major Allied advance in South East Asia. Of no less importance to Japan’s position in South East Asia is Indochina. Indochina has been under Japanese occupation since 1940, though its French authorities are neutral and are nominally still in power. As the war progresses the French may develop plans to assist the Allies, timing their actions to take place at the same time as Allied forces advance into Indochina. To prevent a French uprising, Japan can launch Operation Bright Moon to secure the country and disarm French forces. Casualties may be suffered in doing so, though it may be better than letting French forces rise and attack Japanese forces, especially as an Allied presence here would break Japan’s communications with Thailand and the frontline in Burma. However, even having defeated French forces in Indochina, Japan’s problems may not end there as Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh can initiate Partisan activity in the north. Overall, the many allied units that Japan can deploy to fight alongside her armed forces in 1941 Day of Infamy are a useful asset, providing us with a reminder that this was much more than a conflict fought between existing states. Axis players will therefore do well to mobilize these forces as much as possible in her favour, for one thing is certain: the Allies will be mobilizing massively for the battles ahead, and every single unit will have the potential to count in determining the winner of WWII: War in the Pacific!

Welcome to our first Developer Diary for Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific, and here we focus on one of the smaller campaigns that comes with the game! 1945 August Storm 40 years have passed since Japan’s imperial sunrise brought humiliation to Russia and revolution to the Tsar. Now, in the dying days of World War II, the time for revenge is at hand! {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d6256994e713c7f76c4702faabddb001d13a0dc2.png This map may look familiar, but much has changed over the last four decades… The Red Army Honouring his promise made at the Yalta Conference, in the summer of 1945, Stalin has transferred hundreds of thousands of the Red Army’s finest soldiers to the Far East. Organised into three fronts, they have been secretly deployed along the frontiers of Japanese-held Manchuria. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/19c2e21050452a1f8af97e7b82537e8250c1db58.png The forces sent to Manchuria represent the culmination of the Red Army’s wartime experience, perhaps the most powerful military force assembled to this point in history: most are veterans of Stalingrad, Kursk and the battles that drove the Wehrmacht all the way to Berlin, and they will be supported by the best equipment the USSR has available: T-34 tanks, Il-2 bombers and the famous Katyusha rocket-launchers. The Eastern Front was a harsh place to learn the arts of war, but its lessons have been well learned. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/6e9bdba747e55b919dccf418d234d9b1fde391f7.png The Kwantung Army By contrast, the Japanese garrison in Manchuria, the Kwantung Army, is woefully unprepared. Once Japan’s mightiest army, years of neglect have left it a shadow of its former self. Competing priorities saw the Kwantung Army’s best units diverted to China and the Pacific, while Japan’s leaders placed their faith in a non-aggression pact with Stalin to keep Manchuria safe from attack. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/410efa22d3ade7412428510fda57722c50037a1e.png Yet even the cancellation of that pact in April 1945 has done little to rouse the Japanese defence: aside from a number of strongpoints across Manchuria and the formidable entrenchments at Mutanchiang, few defensive positions have been prepared and most Japanese troops have been positioned to maintain internal order. The rare Japanese commanders who believe an attack is coming at all have placed their faith in the difficult terrain of Manchuria to slow the Soviets down. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/d22af62204a3c8fa18daedf3fd3e708cd8697b75.png The Battlefield Japanese confidence in the difficulty of traversing Manchuria is not entirely misplaced. The region covers an area the size of Western Europe, making the proposed invasion dwarf even the likes of Operation Bagration in scope. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/912259fe37d6a87c08b1bbfe2cae68902919a249.png In the west, the first obstacle the Soviet Trans-Baikal Front will face is the Gobi Desert: hundreds of kilometres of barren terrain. With few tracks and no proper roads, merely transporting supplies to the front will require a herculean effort by the Red Army’s quartermasters. Beyond the Gobi lays the Grand Khingan mountain range, whose peaks the Japanese consider to be impassable by a large army. Further east, the valleys of the Ussuri River are covered with swamps, and much of eastern Manchuria is also heavily forested. While the terrain poses less of an obstacle here than in the west, the Japanese have also concentrated most of their best troops in this region, and thus the largest battles of the campaign are likely to be fought here. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/ab6e08dabec84b3c858d45d2422a416632fb0df9.png But it may be across the Sea of Japan where the most difficult objective of all is located: the island of Hokkaido. As part of the Lend-Lease program, the United States has provided the USSR with limited numbers of transport ships, arguably too few to launch a major amphibious invasion at all. Such an operation would also be operating beyond the range of most Soviet aircraft, and while the Japanese air force has been greatly reduced in combat against the United States, all reserves will be made available if the Home Islands themselves are attacked. This makes an attack against Hokkaido an enormous gamble, but few could deny the prestige such a success would grant the Soviet Union. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/966d84b7b4dc5822b6fb2089b4c8b470abeae994.png The Campaign Unlike most Strategic Command campaigns, in 1945 August Storm both sides will be limited to a fixed pool of MPPs provided at the beginning of the campaign, and careful management of these resources will be required to ensure that crucial reinforcements can be provided where they are most needed. Japan will have the ability to rebuild units that have been destroyed, representing the regrouping of formations shattered by the Soviet advance, however it is unlikely that Japan will be able to afford to replace all of its losses, making it vital that the units that will be replaced are carefully chosen. As the Trans-Siberian Railroad is operating at capacity just bringing supplies to the front, the Red Army will not be able to replace any units that are destroyed, although with such a powerful army available, the outright destruction of any Soviet units will be a significant setback to the Red Army’s advance, to say nothing of the humiliation to Soviet arms! With the date of Japan’s surrender rapidly approaching, Stalin can ill afford even the slightest setback. The Red Army will have just 18 turns to secure its objectives, which include Mukden, Seoul and the site of the Tsar’s famous defeat itself – Port Arthur. Reaching these objectives will require a relentless pace of advance, one certain to stretch the Red Army’s supply line to breaking point. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44914347/3aa81afeeabacf8041ddbebb97bab7a526dd81c4.png

Attention everyone, the time has come, the Beta for Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific has officially commenced. We've sent the first waves of invitations and more are coming, keep and eye on your inbox. Six campaigns are ready to test, if you haven't already, please send your request to join the Beta here and don't forget to wishlist the game. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2740080/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2740080/Strategic_Command_WWII_War_in_the_Pacific/ A new chapter of Strategic Command is on its way. We are thrilled to complete Fury Software’s WWII trilogy games with Strategic Command WWII - War in the Pacific. Get ready to re-fight the great land and naval campaigns of this amazing theater. Prepare to avenge the Day of Infamy in our grand campaign. Additionally, five mini campaigns will be available for you to be played. More info will be shared soon, so stay tuned. But that’s not all, we are also looking for feedback from you. Do you want to be among the first to play the game? Please join the beta and let us know what you think about it.